Longer life expectancy is creating difficulties when it comes to navigating the financial and emotional realities of retirement. With the developments of modern medicine and technologies, life expectancy is changing. In fact, an Australian today who is over the age of 65 is likely to live well into their 90s! With longer life expectancies, most retirees can’t afford to stay on autopilot with their retirement – there’s a growing number… Read more
It’s important to find a financial adviser that suits your needs and understands your goals. Your financial adviser should work with you to look at your finances and create a plan to help you achieve financial freedom. So, steps to choosing a financial adviser: Check that they have an Australian Financial Services (AFS) License. ASIC issues this license when a business proves they can meet a minimum standard for… Read more
Superannuation is actually quite straightforward, but many people struggle with understanding how it works and why it’s important. We hear lots of clients claiming they don’t really need super – because they’ll just use the aged pension when they retire. While the aged pension does provide that support, many Australians value a broad range of leisure and recreational activities and having super saved up is a good way to ensure… Read more
Debt consolidation, also known as refinancing, is rolling multiple debts and loans in to one joined loan. There are many benefits to this – however, there are some risks that you need to be aware of. Consider: Unrealistic Promises It’s unrealistic to believe that a company is able to completely free you from debt. Don’t trust a company that promises you this, and look out for ones that: Are… Read more
Everyone wants the best for their children, and this includes being rich. Being rich is not just about money– it is about wealth in all aspects of life. In this article, we will share some life lessons you must teach your kids while they’re young to help them grow into adults who can build financial wealth, meaningful relationships, and an overall happy life. Lead by example Children learn from their… Read more
Thinking about turning your passion into a paying gig? These steps will help you avoid some common mistakes as you set out to earn an income from your favorite pastime. Do you have what it takes? Unless you’ve run a business before, it’s easy to get carried away with the idea of how perfect it will be to get paid for doing what you love. Reality check: the stress of… Read more
We have all taken physical safety measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones through this pandemic. Just as wearing a mask, social distancing and increasing sanitation help protect your family from Covid, life insurance can help protect them if you get ill or injured. Covid-19 has a lot of Aussies thinking about the impacts of major injuries or illnesses and how their family would cope if the dominant, or… Read more
More young people are turning to parents for financial assistance with the purchase of their first home, but is lending money from ‘the bank of mum & dad’ a good idea? Or should you be guiding your children towards other options? The ‘Great Australian Dream’ has always centred around owning property, and as a parent, it’s only natural to want to help your kids enter the property market as early… Read more
People often believe it will take drastic and sudden change to achieve financial freedom. While many of us hope to win the lotto or have a mysterious older relative leave us with a small fortune, unfortunately this doesn’t happen to a lot of people. That doesn’t mean you can’t reach financial freedom though; here at 123 Financial Group, we can help change your mindset and plan for your future to… Read more
Whilst there has been a lot of negative impacts on everyday Aussies from Covid-19, one good thing is the record low interest rates. Your home is generally the biggest expense in your entire life, so while lower rates may not seem exciting, they might actually save you thousands. So how do you make the most of this? Firstly, you should seek professional advice. Shopping around for the perfect home… Read more
Understanding how much borrowing capacity you have when buying your first home is an essential step for all newcomers to home ownership. The question of “How much can I borrow?” rears its ugly head for all new home buyers. As daunting as it can be, understanding your borrowing power is important – and essential – for those ready to get their foot in the door with their first home purchase.… Read more
While there are online calculators, quizzes and general advice easily accessible and available; sometimes it’s best to get advice tailored to your personal situation, from an experienced and trusted financial adviser. Getting advice that is specific to your financial needs and goals is crucial. Here’s why: Save on the Essentials: Money & Time We all forget or get distracted and don’t do some things that we should. Everyone is guilty… Read more
Business negotiation is a world of contradictions. You’ve got to be firm but flexible. Open and sharing, but a little cagey. There’s a lot to get your head around. But your state of mind might be the most important thing. Aim for a mutually beneficial outcome and you’ll find the whole exercise more comfortable. Follow these five tips to prepare for your next negotiation. 1. Do your homework Before starting… Read more
A new baby completely changes your life. Are you also prepared for how a new baby might affect your chances of buying a home? Here are some things to consider before you submit your application. When a lender assesses your home loan application, they look at your income, assets, debts and expenses before deciding whether they think you can make the repayments. Those figures are likely to change when you… Read more
Buying an existing business can be a great way to get started as a business owner, or to expand operations if you are already running a business successfully. Established businesses have already done the hard work of setting up a business, so you can get up and running on day one without a lengthy formation process. Things You’ll Need Why is the business for sale? – It’s important to understand the… Read more
Deciding if you need income protection insurance or not? Who needs it? Income protection insurance can be important if you: Are self-employed or a small business owner, as you may not have sick or annual leave Have family members or dependents that rely on the income you earn Have debt, such as a mortgage, that you’ll need to make payments on even if you’re unable to work If you… Read more
As a new home owner, you may be asked by friends and family interested in buying their first home what to consider before diving in. Here are five tips you can pass on. Is it the right time? Moving house can be stressful and time-consuming, so consider whether it’s suitable right now. Will your children need to move school? Are there work obligations that could make a move challenging? If… Read more
Sure, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a scrappy yard can be an instant turn-off to potential home buyers, even if the house is a dream on the inside. We’ve pulled together some savvy landscaping tips to make sure your home is picture perfect for when you’re ready to sell. The first thing to keep in mind when revamping your garden is that it has to appear… Read more
Covid-19 has meant lots of Australians have needed to dip into their superannuation after unexpected loss of income. There’s been debate about how this may impact those Australians later on in life when they need their super – whether or not this superannuation initiative was a good idea isn’t the question, the question is how much super should Australians have for retirement? How much is enough? And will Australians who… Read more
When your investment property lies vacant for even a short time, your earnings can take a big hit. So how do you get the best out of your property in a competitive market? Here are some tips to make your property stand out from the pack. What tenants want Property managers and agents know that many tenants judge properties based on the property size, the state of the kitchen, air… Read more